Taking the pulse of rural health communities

In early 2023, when access to the Coromandel was cut off by the roading collapse, health workers rallied the help of local fishers to deliver prescriptions to people by boat.

“It’s that kind of can-do spirit that’s the hallmark of rural practice,” says Dr Grant Davidson, CEO of Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network.

“Whatever challenges they face, they still manage to make it work.”

But it will take more than a plucky number-8 wire approach to solve some of the serious problems facing the rural health sector.

Hauora Taiwhenua’s 2024 conference was held in Wellington in early April, and onMAS asked Grant what was top of the agenda – and top of mind – for the 400+ delegates.

Rural communities are now recognised in law

Hauora Taiwhenua was launched in July 2022 when the Rural GP Network partnered with other rural health groups to create a bigger 9-chapter collective – and a united voice.

One of their first big wins was having rural communities recognised as a priority population in the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) legislation.

“That was an important achievement that’s springboarded all sorts of things over the past 18 months,” says Grant.

Among other things, it’s seen the launch of a new rural telehealth programme, a pilot from Te Whatu Ora to fund the relocation of overseas doctors willing to work in rural areas and funding to send health workers to impacted regions in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.

“There’s been a lot happening and plenty more to come.”

New medical school to train rural doctors

Another reason to celebrate is the government’s announcement to add a third medical school in New Zealand, with a focus on training rural doctors. A memorandum of understanding has been signed with the University of Waikato, with the first intake of 120 students planned for 2027.

In more good news, Otago and Auckland medical schools will get extra funding to run rural immersion programmes as part of their doctor training.

“These initiatives are great to see,” says Grant. “All the evidence supports the fact that, if people spend time training in rural areas, they’re much more likely to stay practising there.”

While those future initiatives are heartening, the current reality is stark. 

He says the conference was an opportunity for members to support and bolster each other through the challenges.

Sharing knowledge around climate change

One of the conference themes was resiliency. With rural communities bearing the brunt of recent weather events, conference speakers shared their experiences and learnings.

“We know we’re going to get more of these events – it’s a matter of where and when,” says Grant.

“Every situation will be different and there’s no set playbook. It’s mental preparedness more than anything.”

Last year, Hauora Taiwhenua funded some research into the impacts of climate change on rural practice in Aotearoa. It raised some thought-provoking findings.

“With rising temperatures, we’re likely to see increased risk from things like tropical diseases, water borne illness and heatwave-related deaths,” says Grant.

“As a sector, we need to be thinking about a whole range of climate-related health issues and how we’ll respond.”

The game-changing power of technology

Technology was another key theme at the conference, encompassing some exciting things on the horizon such as the massive productivity potential of artificial intelligence (AI) as well as some persistent real-world problems.

And while telehealth is seen as an important future tool for rural communities, it relies on patients having connectivity.

“If some of those people can’t access or afford the data or devices, we’ll still have massive inequities.”

An inspiring example of a community tackling this very challenge is Te Aka Toitū’s Connected Project.

By using a tower installed at the local school to transmit free Wi-Fi into homes, they’re helping to close the digital divide for Eastern Bay of Plenty low-decile school students and their families. It’s having a positive impact on both health outcomes and employment opportunities in the region.

“That’s another great example of the innovative thinking and can-do spirit that exists in rural communities,” says Grant.